Chapter 6
847 Words
That's impossible. I saw her. His grandmother insisted.
She just dumped me on the police and ran off. Can you believe she did that? She huffed.
Give me your phone. She told him.
Owen handed it over without protest. The old woman squinted at the screen, then carefully copied the most recent number from his call history.
Into her small notebook.
The next morning, Ruby's phone rang. It was her university advisor.
Ruby, I need you on campus.
Immediately.
Confused, Ruby hopped on her scooter and headed over.
The second she walked into Professor Miller's office, she saw them.
Isabel and Sheila.
Ruby's eyes narrowed.
She and Isabel both went to Hudson University, the best school in the state.
Isabel had gotten in with a full-ride scholarship.
Ruby, on the other hand, had already started a company under her other identity, one she couldn't afford to run from a distance.
Besides, she knew better than to outshine Isabel, so she'd intentionally tanked her scores just enough to get into the school's least popular major.
Energy and Power Engineering.
But then, two years ago, the field suddenly exploded in popularity, and Isabel switched majors.
Becoming her classmate all over again.
Isabel being here made a twisted kind of sense, but Sheila.
Why was she here?
As if on cue, Professor Miller looked at Ruby, his expression grim.
Ruby, your graduate school recommendation. It's been revoked.
Ruby blinked.
What? Why?
Your mother filed a report. She claims you have a history of misconduct and an unsuitable personal background, making you ineligible for the graduate program.
Miller's brow furrowed.
This sounds like a misunderstanding. You have such a bright future ahead of you. I think it's best if you sort this out before it gets out of hand.
Hearing this, Isabel was the first to sigh.
Professor Miller, Sheila is only doing this for Ruby's own good.
She then turned to Ruby.
You pissed off Mr. Knight. He's put the word out. He wants you gone from New York City.
It took Ruby a second to understand who Isabel was talking about.
Oh, Owen Knight.
But they barely exchanged ten words. He hadn't seemed angry yesterday, so why would he be so petty?
Then again, Isabel was a pathological liar.
As Ruby was processing, Isabel stepped closer.
Ruby, Dad bought you a plane ticket. He thinks you should go abroad for a while. Just lay low until this blows over.
A sarcastic glint flashed in Ruby's eyes.
Blow over.
What a polite way of saying they were terrified she would drag the whole family down.
She glanced at the destination.
Argentina.
About as far away from the US as possible.
Just how scared were they of her ever coming back?
She pushed the ticket back.
I think I will pass on this one. She said coldly.
When Ruby didn't take it, Isabel pulled out a debit card, her voice dripping with fake sympathy.
Are you worried about money? Here. Take this. It's $7,000. It's my own personal savings, but you can have it.
If you need more later, just let me know.
The distinguished eldest daughter of the Anderson family only had $7,000 to her name.
Ruby almost laughed.
But Sheila instantly snatched the card from Isabel's hand.
Easy. What are you doing? The Andersons have already done more than enough, buying her a plane ticket.
She shot Ruby a venomous glare.
Pack your bags and get on that plane. I've already filed the paperwork for your withdrawal from the university.
Ruby stared right back at her.
You don't have the right to make my decisions.
I have every right. I'm your mother.
Besides, with your grades, grad school is just a waste of time. You'd be lucky to graduate at all.
You should just get a job and start earning some money.
Professor Miller immediately jumped in.
Mrs. Sutton, you must be mistaken.
Ruby's performance in her major has been outstanding.
Before he could finish, Sheila cut him off.
Professor, you don't have to defend her. I know my own daughter.
She's only applying to grad school because Izzie is.
She needs to take a good, hard look in the mirror.
And accept her place.
What right does she have to even try to compare herself to Izzie?
Her crude words left Professor Miller speechless.
He looked at Isabel in surprise.
You're applying to grad school?
I don't recall seeing a recommendation for you or that you sat for the entrance exams.
Yes. Isabel said, with a demure smile.
I'm being admitted through a special track.
It was a way for a high-profile professor to handpick a student they wanted, bypassing the usual process.
Professor Miller's eyes widened in understanding.
May I ask?
Which professor is sponsoring your admission?
Isabel put on a humble front.
It's Dr. N.
You know, his hydrogen-based clean fuel research.
He just received his doctorate after filing the patent.
Ruby's head snapped toward her, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Who did you just say?
Because the last time she checked, she was Dr. N.
- Writer
